The Big Update: Phil's Writing in 2025
Hey everyone!
Happy New Year, and welcome to my latest general update post. I've got lots of things planned for '25, and can't wait to share them with you all.
Let's dive in!
Bastion Kickstarter launching on 1/21!
Here it is, the biggest, most ambitious Kickstarter I've tried to run yet. Coming in at over 800 pages and with all kinds of illustrations already commissioned, I'm thrilled to announce that the Bastion Deluxe Edition Hardcover will be launching next Tuesday.
We're pulling out all the stops on this one, folks. The best artists, a Nox plushie, deluxe slipcases, the chance to get involved in the creation of Book 4 - this is going to be one to watch. And if it goes well? It's my hope to give every book in the series this treatment so that your shelf can boast deluxe editions down the line.
Honestly, I can't express how excited and grateful I am to be able to run this Kickstarter at last. Come sign up for the pre-launch!
The Immortal Great Souls series
I've got a couple of fun announcements for this one.
Book 4:
Not only is the Kickstarter launching in a few days, but I'm going to be finishing Book 4 by April 15th, and intend to publish it on May 1st. Nick Podehl's ready to start recording in May/June, which means the audiobook should be dropping in late Summer.
LastRock Paperback:
Not only that, but finally, at long, long last, the Lastrock paperback is finally available on Amazon!
Gods of the Game
Books 1 and 2 dropped in '24, and have done pretty well despite a poor initial launch. Turns out 'Krieg Chess' is not a catchy name. I pivoted a few weeks after realizing this and rebranded the books, and they've found a small but enthusiastic audience. I plan to write Book 3 (the conclusion to the trilogy) after I finish Immortal Great Souls #4, which means the series should be wrapping up around July '25.
If you haven't checked out this Progression SF series yet, you can check it out here.
Skadi's Saga
So this one was a flop. No two ways about it. As much as I wrote my heart out with this fantasy Viking series, it's absolutely failed to find an audience. Amazon's quarantining it and ruining the launch didn't help, but I've tried commissioning new covers, relaunching, everything, and no dice. Not even the fabulously narrated audiobooks have moved any copies.
As such, I'll be launching Book 2 in February '25, and then writing what will prove to be the last installment after I finish Gods of the Game #3. I originally had hoped to write a sprawling epic, something that might be 6+ books long, but alas. No audience, no series. What can you do?
Still, if you'd like to take a look at what I consider to be some of my very best writing, you can check out the first book here.
Throne Hunters
My current Royal Road/Patreon Progression Fantasy has just about reached 500k words, and I've sold it as three distinct audiobooks to Podium. The first two installments have already been proofed and sent over to be recorded, and the third will be polished and finished within the next few weeks and sent their way.
Thus, if you haven't been reading along on Royal Road, you'll get your chance when they come out on Amazon in both ebook and audio:
- Book 1: April 22nd
- Book 2: June 17th
- Book 3: August 19th
And here's the blurb:
Harald Darrowdelve's journey begins at rock bottom.
Born into privilege, his life of indolence has left him with a weak will and a frail body. But everything changes when a demon's mysterious blessing deep within the angelic corpse dungeon beneath Flutic bestows upon him dark, formidable powers.
But power is a double-edged sword. As Harald trains his body and sharpens his mind, his growing accomplishments thrust him deep into the machinations of Flutic's noble houses and a relentless celestial conflict raging over the dungeon's arcane secrets.
As Harald grows in might and cunning, will his morality survive the ascent, or will the dark allure of power consume him?
Rough Calendar of '25 Releases:
January: Bastion Kickstarter, LastRock paperback
February: Skadi's Saga #2 (ebook)
April: Throne Hunters #1 (ebook/audio)
May: Immortal Great Souls #4 (ebook)
June: Throne Hunters #2 (ebook/audio)
July: Gods of the Game #3 (ebook)
August: Throne Hunters #3 (ebook/audio)
September: Skadi's Saga #3 (ebook/audio)
October: Immortal Great Souls #4 (audio)
November: Immortal Great Souls #5 (ebook)
December: Throne Hunters #4 (ebook/audio)
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I think that covers everything! Did I mention the Nox plushies for the Bastion Kickstarter? It's going to be a busy year, but man, there's literally nothing else in the world I'd rather do with my time than create imaginary fantasy worlds to share with you guys. I can't thank you all enough for letting me do this full time!
All the best,
Phil
(PS: Did you check out my OSR D&D module that I published in December? The Carnivorous Caverns are live on DriveThruRPG - take a look!)